Community Foundations

Community foundations are grantmaking public charities that are dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic area. They bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in their communities. Community foundations vary widely in asset size, ranging from less than $100,000 to more than $1.7 billion.

Community foundations play a key role in identifying and solving community problems. In 2017, they gave an estimated $5.48 billion to a variety of nonprofit activities in fields that included the arts and education, health and human services, the environment, and disaster relief. The Community Foundations National Standards Board confirms operational excellence in six key areas—mission, structure, and governance; resource development; stewardship and accountability; grantmaking and community leadership; donor relations; and communications. Foundations that comply with these standards can display the official National Standards Seal. Currently, over 500 community foundations have earned the seal.

More than 900 community foundations operate in urban and rural areas in every state in the United States; currently, approximately 350 are members of the Council on Foundations. The community foundation model also has taken hold around the world. Community foundations have participated in the growth of international giving by U.S. foundations in recent years, with international giving by community foundations more than tripling, from $103 million in 2011 to $315 million in 2015, and community foundations' share of overall international giving by U.S. foundations more than doubling, from 1.4 percent in 2011 to 3.4 percent in 2015.

You can use our Community Foundation Locator to view a list of community foundations in the United States.

Below is everything on our site for community foundations. We highly recommend that you use the navigation or our search feature to find what you're looking for on our site. Please also visit cof.org/community-foundations for curated community foundation content. 

Fostering Belonging Across Colorado

By Erika Montes, Belonging Colorado Program Lead at The Denver Foundation Communities thrive when people feel they belong. Feeling connected and having a sense of belonging is not just a "nice-to-have"-it is essential for physical and mental health. In schools, belonging improves academic…

End of Year Legal Office Hour - 2025

Legal Compliance Guidance
As we approach the end of 2025, community foundations face a range of questions related to gift acceptance and donor stewardship. This is a recording of an open office hours session where the Council’s Legal Resources team discussed key year-end topics and answered audience questions.

Trump Accounts Explainer

What are Trump Accounts? Trump Accounts are new accounts—structured as Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) but with special rules—that are created or organized for the exclusive benefit of a child. U.S. citizens with social security numbers are eligible. Once the child turns eighteen, funds from…

2026 Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort Application Q&A

Are you looking for a supportive community of funders to help you build constructive dialogue and understanding across differences? You’ll get just that with the Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort. The Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort is a facilitated virtual learning experience meeting…

Leading Across Differences - December Peer Learning Circle

This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment for…

Leading Across Differences - October Peer Learning Circle

This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment for…

Leading Across Differences - August Peer Learning Circle

This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment for…

Leading Across Differences - June Peer Learning Circle

This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment for…

Leading Across Differences - February Peer Learning Circle

This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment for…

National Standards Monthly Zoom Session - February 2026

CFNSB hosts a monthly call to offer community foundation staff the opportunity to learn what's new, or ask any questions related to the National Standards program. The input of community foundation staff is critical to the success of the program. This event will take place the second Wednesday of…

HR Philanthropy Collaborative - December 2025

This is a peer-led space designed to connect you with human resources leaders at foundations across the country. The group will build meaningful relationships, share resources, and provide a consistent opportunity to engage in collaborative troubleshooting in a trusted environment. Meeting every…

Community Philanthropy Update - November 2025

The Council is planning to deepen its support for the role community foundations play as policy advocates through the upcoming launch of a new, optional, paid membership add-on.

Retreat for New Community Foundation Executive Leaders - October 2026

This event is the Council's annual retreat for early-tenure Community Foundation chief executives who want to step away from the challenges of their day-to-day and find renewed energy and motivation in fellowship with other new CEOs.    Hosted by Javier Alberto Soto, President…

Building Common Ground Survey

Research
This survey was conducted by Hattaway Communications from September 30 to October 8, 2025, to better understand how Americans think about connecting and collaborating across differences and the role that foundations should play. 1,000 American adults—nationally representative by age, gender,…

Washington Snapshot: Federal Government Shutdown Comes to an End

On November 12, the House passed a continuing resolution and minibus package of appropriations bills, marking the end to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Plus, Building Together 2026, support for nonprofits impacted by changes in federal grants, and more.

Q and A: What is Building Together 2026?

Building Together isn’t your typical conference — it’s a hands-on experience to help leaders at all levels build relationships and skills to connect and collaborate across difference. During the conference, you will learn, process, and practice in real time while developing the heartset,…
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